July 1, 2024
Do you have a special way of celebrating when you finish writing a book?
Or other achievements in your journey? How do you reward yourself?
The day when you write ‘The End.’ Or send your manuscript off to your editor. Have your first look at the cover. Hold a print copy of the book for the first time. All of those are achievements are worth celebrating. How do you do it?
I’ve heard of authors going out to dinner, or enjoying their choice of an alcoholic beverage. Perhaps a bouquet of fresh flowers graces their desk. Some will take a vacation from writing to allow their muse to have a break.
But I’m not good at rewarding myself. I put so much energy into taking care of other people that I don’t leave enough for me. Yes, I know better, but don’t always practice what I preach.
How do I reward myself?
Sometimes I remember I deserve to celebrate, too. My reward? Dark chocolate. Not your standard, every day chocolate, but the pricey stuff. (Not the over-the-top, break-the-bank expensive variety. I have my limits.) A few pieces go a long way. I’m low-maintenance.
The other way I reward myself is with flowers. Not cut ones, but potted ones for outside. (I only plant a few shrubs because I have to protect them from the local deer.) I allow myself to splurge in the spring. The flowers may only last a season, but they bring me happiness every day for those few months. There’s no landscaping plan. I just buy whatever flowers catch my eye when we go shopping.
Now, these rewards aren’t tied to a specific event. I don’t keep a stash of chocolate handy waiting for am opportunity to celebrate an achievement. My willpower isn’t strong enough to keep me from raiding any chocolate I have tucked away. (Unless I bought it for a specific holiday. Then my ability to ignore the goodies is amazing.)
But back to celebrating my writing achievements.
A simple post on Facebook may be the only public acknowledgement I share. And that won’t be seen by more than a handful of people. I’m not good at all the publicity stuff.
How about the other authors on this hop? Do they reward themselves for their accomplishments, no matter how small? Find out by following the links below.
As always, until next time, please stay safe.
July 1, 2024
Do you have a special way of celebrating when you finish writing a book? Or other achievements in your journey? How do you reward yourself?
I haven’t eaten any chocolate in 30 years. I like it but it doesn’t like me, and used to give me a gnawing migraine.
That’s such a same.
I’m a big believer in small rewards too, and chocolate and new plants sounds perfect! @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
I always try to get my summer plants to last longer into the fall season, but without a greenhouse, there’s only so much I can do.
I content myself with a smile and the knowledge that, once again, I’ve proved my teachers wrong by writing a whole lot of words that collectively, mean something. Having said that, chocolate would not go amiss.
You are doing a fine job of putting words together that mean something.
Reward the garden ? Great idea. No deer now , new landowner installed miles of deer fencing. Prefer deer to sheep.